THE TOTE INFORMATION PAGE

WHAT IS THE TOTE?

"Tote" is short for Totalisator, a system introduced to
Britain in 1929 to offer pool betting on racecourses. It works like this: all
the stakes on a race are pooled, a deduction is made to cover costs and the
Tote's contribution to racing. The remainder of the pool is divided by the number
of winning units to give a dividend which is declared inclusive of a £1
stake. In other words, pool customers bet against each other, whereas in bookmaking
they bet against the bookmaker. Odds fluctuate according to the pattern of betting
and betting ceases at the 'off'.

"The Tote", has 4 parts to its business:

Tote Credit Club offers a comprehensive telephone betting
service as well as providing offices on every racecourse.
Bets are accepted on horseracing at Starting Price or Tote returns together
with Ante-Post on principal races and on most major sporting events.

Racecourse Division - Betting points are situated on every
racecourse offering the full range of Tote bets including, at most locations
the facility to bet at other racecourse meetings.

Tote Bookmakers operate offices throughout the country providing
a cash betting service at either Starting Price or Tote Returns. Offices are
also situated on many racecourses offering a cash betting service or Starting
Price.

Tote Direct - Many off-course bookmakers now operate Tote
Direct on-line terminals enabling Tote bets such as the Scoop6, Jackpot, Placepot
and Trifecta to be transmitted to the racecourse Tote Pools.